Is The Watchtower worried that a bad economy and hard financial times could hurt THEM?
Will it become too expensive to go out in field service or to go to meetings?
Is this what really concerns them?
exerpts from Governing Body talk
by Mulan 29 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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VM44
Remember the SEVEN DAY conventions?
Imagine how much it would cost today to attend one of those!
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blondie
So many jws in the richer countries are ethnocentric. jws in poorer countries have been struggling economically for years to meet the WTS schedule of meetings but no adjustment was made for them. Why can't richer jws walk, eh?
*** yb97 pp. 164-165 Brazil ***
Gathering Together’ in Spite of Distance
Our Christian brothers and sisters in Brazil truly appreciate the Bible’s counsel not to forsake gathering together, and all the more so as they behold Jehovah’s day drawing near. (Heb. 10:24, 25) Sometimes this requires considerable effort on their part. A brother in the congregation in Fazenda Taquari, Bahia, though lame and 70 years of age, walks five miles [8km] to get to the Kingdom Hall.Brothers in the Olindina Congregation, Bahia, walk ten miles [16km] carrying a plastic bag with garments so that they can replace the clothing that gets wet when they cross a river. In Pará, several families walk four miles [6 km] through a forest where they often see jaguar footprints. Also, in the congregation at Repouso do Amatari, Amazonas, two families, consisting of 15 persons, walk through the jungle with one adult out front to bang the trees and the ground with a stick in order to chase away the snakes.
A pregnant sister, with a child in her arms, walked ten miles[16km] to the Kingdom Hall in the small town of Axixá, Tocantins, whenever she could not get a ride in a truck. In order to take her small children with her to the Kingdom Hall, a sister in Bahia puts them in two large baskets, one hanging on each side of a donkey that she leads.
At the time of a circuit assembly in Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, 37 persons from the congregation in Rio Badejo, Amazonas, were present, although the congregation was reporting only 9 publishers. That group walked eight hours in order to attend. Among them was a sister with eight children, the youngest of whom was five years old. Also, ten brothers traveled 62 miles [100km]by bicycle to attend their assembly in Floriano, Piauí. They are truly grateful for the spiritual provisions that Jehovah makes.
*** yb97 p. 166 Brazil ***To attend meetings in the Kingdom Hall in Guimarães, some brothers had to walk about 20 miles [30km] weekly, which took five or six hours. During the visit of the circuit overseer, they would stay in town the whole week in order to benefit fully from his visit.
*** yb90 pp. 244-245 Suriname ***"Over 150 persons attend meetings, though for some that requires sacrifices," says missionary Paul van de Reep of the English congregation. For example, one family with little income leave home at eight in the morning, walk a good distance, wait for over an hour for a bus, and then attend the meeting. They are home again by two in the afternoon. "Each week," adds Paul, "they spend one day’s wages for bus fare to attend meetings."
*** yb97 pp. 235-236 Micronesia ***
Unusual Ride to the Kingdom HallMissionaries throughout Micronesia routinely use their cars or pickup trucks to help people get to meetings, but there is a form of transportation that perhaps only Barak Bowman has tried. When the failing health of a heavyset 70-year-old sister prevented her from walking the two miles [3km] to the Kingdom Hall, Barak tried to figure out a way to help her. "I would like to pick you up for the meeting," he said, "but I only have a wheelbarrow that I can use." To his surprise, she replied, "OK, I don’t mind."
You can imagine the sight as they rolled along the trail en route to the meeting—also the effort that was required on Barak’s part. He would leave home at 7:00 a.m. with an empty wheelbarrow and arrive back at the hall with our sister aboard just in time for the 9:30 a.m. program.
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carla
just marking
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Quandry
NEVER ALLOW AN UN EXPECTED INCIDENT, INCLUDING JOB LOSS, TO PARALYZE YOU. DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN, AND THEN LEAVE THE REST IN JEHOVAH'S HANDS.
How about getting an education so that you can get a better job?
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kzjw
Can someone post the Oct 15, 2005 article?
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blondie
*** w05 10/15 pp. 8-11 Jehovah Will By No Means Leave You ***CHRISTIANS in Judaea were experiencing vicious opposition, and they had to contend with the materialistic view of people around them. To encourage them, the apostle Paul quoted the words of Jehovah to the Israelites as they were entering the Promised Land. Paul wrote: "I will by no means leave you nor by any means forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5; Deuteronomy 31:6) This promise undoubtedly strengthened the first-century Hebrew Christians.
The same promise should fortify us to cope with anxieties that come from living in "critical times hard to deal with." (2 Timothy 3:1) If we trust in Jehovah and act accordingly, he will sustain us even in the most difficult circumstances. To see how Jehovah can act on this promise, let us consider the example of a sudden loss of one’s livelihood.
Facing
theUnexpectedThe number of unemployed is growing worldwide. According to a Polish magazine, unemployment is considered to be "one of the most difficult socioeconomic problems." Industrialized nations are no exception. For example, even among the members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, by 2004 unemployment had "risen to above 32 million, reaching a higher level than during the Great Depression of the 1930’s." In Poland, the Central Statistical Office listed three million unemployed as of December 2003, which "constituted 18 percent of civilians of working age." One source said that the unemployment rate among the African population in South Africa reached 47.8 percent in 2002!
Sudden unemployment and unexpected layoffs are real threats to many, including Jehovah’s servants. "Time and unforeseen occurrence" befall anyone. (Ecclesiastes 9:11) We may find ourselves uttering the words of the psalmist David: "Distresses of my heart have multiplied." (Psalm 25:17) Would you be able to cope with such unfavorable circumstances? They could affect your emotional, spiritual, and material well-being. If unemployed, could you manage to get back on your feet?
Coping
WithEmotionalStrain"The loss of employment hurts men more," since they are traditionally viewed as the breadwinner of the family, explains psychologist Janusz Wietrzynski. He said that it can start a man on "a roller coaster of emotions," from anger to resignation. A father who has been laid off may lose his self-esteem and start "quarreling with his family."
Adam, a Christian father of two, explains how he felt when he lost his job: "I easily became agitated; everything irritated me. Even at night my dreams were all about work and how to provide for my children and my wife, who had also been laid off unexpectedly." When Ryszard and Mariola, a married couple with a child, lost their means of income, they had a large, outstanding bank loan. The wife relates: "I was constantly troubled, my conscience telling me that it was a mistake to have taken out that loan. I kept thinking that it was all my fault." Faced with such situations, we may easily feel angry, anxious, or bitter, and our emotions can get the better of us. How, then, can we control the negative emotions that may well up in us?
The Bible gives effective advice on how to maintain a positive attitude. "Do not be anxious over anything," the apostle Paul admonished, "but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6, 7) Approaching Jehovah in prayer will give us "the peace of God," a calm state of mind based on our faith in him. Adam’s wife, Irena, says: "In our prayers, we told Jehovah about our situation and how we would simplify our lives even more. My husband, who has usually been quick to find reasons to be anxious, began to feel that a solution would present itself."
If you are faced with the unexpected loss of your job, you are in a good position to apply Jesus Christ’s admonition in the Sermon on the Mount: "Stop being anxious about your souls as to what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your bodies as to what you will wear. . . . Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:25, 33) Ryszard and Mariola applied this counsel in coping with their emotions. "My husband always comforted me and emphasized that Jehovah would not abandon us," recalls Mariola. Her husband adds: "Through persistent prayers together, we have drawn closer to God and to each other, and that has provided the needed comfort."
God’s holy spirit will also help us to cope. Self-control, which the spirit can produce in us, can help us to keep ourselves and our feelings intact. (Galatians 5:22, 23) It may not be easy, but it is possible, for Jesus promised that "the Father in heaven [will] give holy spirit to those asking him."—Luke 11:13; 1 John 5:14, 15.
Do
NotNeglectYourSpiritualNeedsUnexpected dismissal from a job may at first unnerve even the most balanced Christian, but we should not neglect our spiritual needs. Take, for example, 40-year-old Moses, whose whole life changed when he lost his position within the aristocracy and had to become a shepherd, a job the Egyptians despised. (Genesis 46:34) Moses had to adjust to his new circumstances. For the following 40 years, he allowed Jehovah to mold and prepare him for new tasks ahead. (Exodus 2:11-22; Acts 7:29, 30; Hebrews 11:24-26) Despite facing difficulties, Moses was spiritually focused, willing to accept Jehovah’s training. May we never allow unfavorable circumstances to overshadow our spiritual values!
Although suddenly losing a job can be traumatic, that is a good time to strengthen our bonds with Jehovah God and his people. Adam, mentioned earlier, felt that way. He says: "When my wife and I both lost our jobs, the thought of staying away from Christian meetings or reducing our share in the evangelizing work never crossed our minds. That perspective protected us from becoming overly worried about tomorrow." Ryszard shares similar sentiments: "If it were not for the meetings and the ministry, we could never have coped; we would definitely have been eaten up by worry. Spiritual conversations with others are uplifting, for they turn our attention to their needs and away from our own."—Philippians 2:4.
Yes, instead of worrying about employment, try to use the extra time for spiritual activities, engaging in personal study, sharing in congregational activities, or expanding your ministry. Rather than living the life of the unemployed, you will have "plenty to do in the work of the Lord"—which will bring joy both to you and to any sincere individuals who respond to the Kingdom message you preach.—1 Corinthians 15:58.
Providing
forYourFamilyMateriallyHowever, spiritual nourishment will not fill an empty stomach. We do well to keep in mind the following principle: "Certainly if anyone does not provide for those who are his own, and especially for those who are members of his household, he has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith." (1 Timothy 5:8) "Even though the brothers in the congregation are quick to respond to our physical needs," Adam admits, "as Christians, we have an obligation to work at searching for employment." We can count on Jehovah’s support and that of his people, but we should never forget that we need to take the initiative to find a job.
What initiative? "Do not wait with folded arms for God to act, hoping for a miracle," explains Adam. "When you are looking for work, do not hesitate to identify yourself as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Employers usually value that." Ryszard gives this advice: "Ask anyone you know about job opportunities, keep checking at the employment agency, read advertisements, such as: ‘Wanted, woman to care for a disabled person’; or, ‘Temporary employment: Strawberry picking.’ Keep on searching! Do not be too choosy, even if you have to do something menial or something that does not fulfill your ambitions."
Yes, "Jehovah is [your] helper." He will "by no means leave you nor by any means forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5, 6) You do not have to be overly anxious. The psalmist David wrote: "Roll upon Jehovah your way, and rely upon him, and he himself will act." (Psalm 37:5) ‘Rolling our way upon Jehovah’ means that we rely on him and do things his way, even when circumstances may not look favorable to us.
Adam and Irena managed to support themselves by window washing and stairwell cleaning and by being thrifty when purchasing things. They also visited the employment agency regularly. "Help always came just when we needed it," notes Irena. Her husband adds: "Time has shown that the matters we brought up in our prayers were not necessarily in line with God’s will. This has taught us to rely on his wisdom and not to act according to our own understanding. It is better to wait calmly for the solution God will provide."—James 1:4.
Ryszard and Mariola took various odd jobs but at the same time became involved in witnessing in territories where the need was greater. "We got needed jobs right at the times when we had nothing left to eat," says Ryszard. "We refused well-paying jobs that would interfere with our theocratic responsibilities. We preferred to wait on Jehovah." They believe that Jehovah maneuvered matters so that they were able to rent a flat very cheaply and Ryszard finally found a job.
Losing one’s livelihood can be very painful, but why not view it as an opportunity to see for yourself that Jehovah will never forsake you? Jehovah looks after you. (1 Peter 5:6, 7) He has promised through the prophet Isaiah: "Do not gaze about, for I am your God. I will fortify you. I will really help you." (Isaiah 41:10) Never allow an unexpected incident, including job loss, to paralyze you. Do everything you can, and then leave the rest in Jehovah’s hands. Wait on Jehovah, "even silently." (Lamentations 3:26) Rich blessings will be yours.—Jeremiah 17:7.
[Picture
onpage 9]Use the time for spiritual activities
[Pictures
onpage 10]Learn to be thrifty, and do not be too choosy when you are looking for a job
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WTWizard
I don't think they really give a fxxx about job security (and don't cut back on donations to the Worldwide Pedophile Defense Fund). Just cut back on everything you depend on for living comfortably, and on anything that might make it more enjoyable. And it isn't gas. I am still predicting that the Filthful and Disgraceful Slavebugger is going to come up with a Kingdumb Misery telling people to go out in field circus on the evening of the former book study.
Identify yourself as a witless in job interviews? They value that? I don't think so! They value fully integrated honesty, not a religion that could make them quit or cut back in their jobs at any time so they can have a fuller share in field circus. Not to mention the conflict with other employees and customers if they cannot celebrate birthdays (it looks like no softening on that) or Christmas. I would be highly embarrassed to mention myself as a current witless in a job interview (or in anything else).
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minimus
CLASSIC BLONDIE RESEARCH
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Mulan
Remember the SEVEN DAY conventions?
actually the long ones were Sunday through Sunday....................8 days. I've been to several of those, 2 in New York (1953 and 1958), Vancouver (1969 and 1973 I think). I think one in Pasadena was 8 days also, 1963............didn't attend as I was hugely pregnant.